Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09GABORONE832
2009-10-22 14:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Gaborone
Cable title:
BOTSWANA: PRESIDENT AND PARLIAMENT SWORN IN,
how-toVZCZCXRO7261 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHOR #0832/01 2951437 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 221437Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY GABORONE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6124 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0414 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0246 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0229 RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GABORONE 000832
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/S
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM BC
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA: PRESIDENT AND PARLIAMENT SWORN IN,
CABINET ANNOUNCED
REF: GABORONE 815
PRESIDENT INAUGURATED
----------------------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GABORONE 000832
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/S
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM BC
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA: PRESIDENT AND PARLIAMENT SWORN IN,
CABINET ANNOUNCED
REF: GABORONE 815
PRESIDENT INAUGURATED
--------------
¶1. President Seretse Khama Ian Khama was sworn in as the
fourth President of Botswana in a ceremony early on the
morning of October 20. In his acceptance speech President
Khama focused attention on the need to increase food
production in Botswana, improve education and skills
development, encourage continued gains in communication,
science and technology and diversify the economy. The
inauguration was attended by the 57 elected members of
Parliament, the judiciary, the military and local diplomats.
No foreign dignitaries were invited. In typical fashion,
after his swearing-in ceremony President Khama skipped the
reception with local dignataries and quickly got to work. He
immediately held a caucus meeting with the incoming Botswana
Democratic Party (BDP) parliamentarians to discuss his
nominations for the four specially elected MPs, the Speaker
and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and the Vice President.
SPECIALLY ELECTED MPs APPOINTED
--------------
¶2. Several hours after the inauguration, a special session
of Parliament was convened to elect four specially elected
members of Parliament. President Khama forwarded four names
to the Speaker, and though all the MPs were eligible to put
forward nominations, none did so. Because Khama,s four
candidates were unopposed, they were accepted with no formal
vote. Although there was pressure from some groups to use
the special MP positions to promote women in politics, only
two of his four candidates were women: Lesego Ethel Motsumi
and Dorcas K. Makgato-Malesu. The other two specially
elected MPs were Ontetetse Kenneth Matambo and Vincent
Seretse.
FIRST WOMAN SPEAKER ELECTED AND VICE PRESIDENT ENDORSED
--------------
--------------
¶3. The Parliament of Botswana was officially opened by
Presidential Proclamation Wednesday October 21 at 8:30 am.
After the Members of Parliament were sworn-in, the first
order of business, as required under the Constitution, was to
elect a Speaker. While the Speaker can be a Member of
Parliament, historically it has been a person who is not a
currently sitting member. Margaret Nasha, a retired Member
of Parliament and the prior Minister of Presidential Affairs,
was elected into the position. She is the fir